British Gambling Commission Hires Head of Illegal Markets

(AsiaGameHub) –   The new role will oversee the coordination of resources across Enforcement and Intelligence as the regulator intensifies its efforts to combat unlicensed gambling.

UK.- The British Gambling Commission has announced a job posting for the newly established senior position of Head of Illegal Markets. This position will involve leading investigations and enforcement actions against unlicensed operators, which the regulator has identified as an escalating concern within the regulated industry.

The appointed individual will be based within the Operations Directorate and will report directly to John Pierce, the regulator’s Director of Enforcement and Intelligence. Their responsibilities will include coordinating resources between Enforcement and Intelligence teams while working closely with the Illegal Markets team, Sports Betting Integrity Unit, and departments such as Legal, Policy, Strategy, and Communications.

The job description emphasizes that the position is “essential” in supporting the Gambling Commission’s broader strategy to address illegal gambling and foster “a safer and more transparent gambling environment throughout Great Britain.” The regulator is seeking candidates with strong leadership backgrounds and proven experience in criminal investigations, particularly those proficient in investigative techniques, enforcement planning, and complex legal cooperation.

The establishment of this new role follows the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s announcement in January regarding the formation of an illegal gambling task force, led by gambling minister Baroness Twycross. Speaking at the Bingo Association AGM yesterday (May 7), Gambling Commission acting chief executive Sarah Gardner welcomed the government’s allocation of £26 million in new funding over the next three years for related initiatives. She stated that this financial support would enable the regulator to confrontland-based illegal gambling “arguably for the first time in a serious way“.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has cautioned that, based on H2 Gambling Capital research, the unlicensed gambling market reached a value of £16.6 billion in 2025, up from approximately £5 billion in 2019. Some stakeholders argue that the Gambling Commission has focused more heavily on tightening regulations for licensed operators rather than effectively curbing black market activity.

Recent measures, including the increase in Remote Gaming Duty to 40 per cent, have further fueled frustration within the industry, which continues to face challenges such as financial risk checks and demands for additional advertising restrictions. Entain CEO Stella David recently urged the newly formed Independent Football Regulator to ban unlicensed gambling sponsorships in the Premier League.